Dont Miss The Seafood In Cinque Terre

If you are in The Cinque Terre, don't miss eating at CIAK ( pronounced Chuck ) in Monterosso. My daughter and I shared the Ravioli and Shrimp which was a dish for a minimum of 2 people. It was served in a large earthanware pot, steaming hot. There was enough for 4 people! We also ordered the grilled sea bass which was the fresh fish of the day. It was brought out whole and filleted at the table side. We went back again and ordered the Steamed Mussels and Spaghetti with Seafood. Both were to die for! Across the street is the restaurants wine store which stocks an exclusive selection of local wines and other local specialities and fresh produce from their own farm. A great little family restaurant and some of the best food in the region! Enjoy!

Good Accomodation But Book Early!

It is not easy to find accommodation in the Cinque Terre (Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore) unless you book ahead. You can try to arrive without reservations, but from June to September it is almost impossible to find a free bed in these little villages. The only chance you have is to arrive early in the morning and see if anything is available.

The links provided through this web site are your best source for learning about the range of accomodation types available, and will assist you in making forward bookings. Ensure that you get confirmation of your bookings through these websites and we would advise you to contact your hotels for further confirmation when you first arrive in the Cinque Terre.

Monterosso being the largest of the Cinque Terre villages has a good range of accomodation available. However, due to the popularity of the area during peak tourist months, you may find it difficult to get the bookings that you prefer unless you book many months ahead of your intended travel dates.

The towns of Levanto, La Specia and Portovenere are larger than the Cinque Terre villages and have a lot of accommodation including hotels, camping areas, bed & breakfasts rooms and vacation apartment rentals. You can select from a good choice of places and prices and it is easy to travel to the Cinque Terre villages from there, either by the local coastal train or by ferry. Even towns further afield, such as Portofino, are still within easy travelling distance of the Italian Riviera attractions.

Most of the hotel style accomodation is regarded as being 3-star quality and are family owned and operated. Most rooms are expected to have ensuite bathroom facilities though some hotels have cheaper options with shared bathroom facilities.

There are a lot of privately owned bed and breakfast homes and these are a popular tourist choice for couples and individuals. Facilities are what you would expect to find in a small family home. Many are located just outside the actual villages, some have spectacular views over the ocean and down the coastline. Prices can vary but €80 to €100 per night is typical.

Remember: Make your reservation months before your arrival. Then make a confirmation as soon as you get to the area. Above all, have a great holiday!

Walkways in the Cinque Terre, Italy

The highlight of a trip to the Cinque Terre is a hike between the 5 villages. The distance from Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare is 12kms, and a lot of the trail is steep and rocky. The walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola is the easiest. It is paved all the way, and the hardest part is probably the flight of stairs from the station at Riomaggiore up to the start of the path. Other than that the path is fairly flat and suitable for prams and high heels. This section of the trail is called the Lovers Lane. The walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola is 1km long and takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on how long you stop to gaze at the view! The next section of the walk is from Manarola to Corniglia. This section is 3km long and takes about 1 hour. Parts of this trail are again pretty easy, but it is steeper and at times the ground is uneven under foot. The most exhausting part of this section is at the end, once you arrive at Corniglia train station. The station is located at the bottom of the hill, by the ocean, but the town of Corniglia is located on top of the hill....and there are approx 365 stairs to climb up to get up to the village!! My favourite part of the hike is the section between Corniglia and Vernazza. This is the most scenic part, through varied landscapes - you walk through olive groves and forest, and then along the cliff edge, with spectacular views coming into Vernazza. This section is 4km long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete, though we found ourselves stopping quite a bit to admire the views - not because we were tired or anything ; ) The section between Vernazza and Monterosso is the most difficult. It is 4kms long and has lots of ups and downs and steep stairs. It is little less scenic than the others, but you do get a good view of some of the local vineyards. The beauty of Monterosso makes up for it all, plus the availability of a gelato or refreshing vino bianco at one of the many bars helps to ease those weary legs!!"